lofgren



June26, 1928. V I Re. 17,009 J. LOFGREN ELECTRIC SWITCH Original Filed Nov. 2, 1925 2 Sheets -Sheet 1 June 26, 1928.

.J. LOFGREN ELECTRIC SWITCH Original Filed Nov. 2, 1925 2'SheetS-Sheet izlofg v .Reissued 1.....2'6, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN LOFGREN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO RALGO MANUFACTURING CO1 BANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Original K 1348922, dated November 8, 1927 Serial No. 66.1.42, filed November 2, 1925. Application for reissue filed. January 27, 1928.

rough usage. The general object of the invention is to provide a simple and practical switch having the characteristics mentioned.

Another object is to provide a construction in whichthe chief operating elements of the switch are enclosed within a housing and the operating handle is mounted on the housing cover, and the parts are so constructed that from the switch operating part merely by placing or removing the cover. Another object is to make allowances for minor discrepancies of manufacture so that the switch handle will take hold of the rotor when the cover is applied, even though the parts are somewhat irregular in construction or position. Another object is to provide means whereby the stationary terminals may be grouped in various ways to produce different effects when the rotor is rotated. Still another object is to provide means for insuring good electric contact between the rotor and its supply conductor, and also to provide convenient means for holding the rotor contacts in proper alignment with the stationary terminals. Still another object of my inven-' tion resides -in providing a construction,

wherein therotor is'mounted to turn about an axis while at the same time is free to tilt laterally with respect to said axis so that the substantially opposed contact blades thereof may align with the inwardly projecting stationary blades. Still another object of my invention resides in the manner in which the rotor is both rotatably and tiltably mounted and particularly with the mannerin which it makes clutching engagement with the forked portion of the handle in the cover on opposite sides of the axis'of rotation of the rotor whereby the clutching connection with the handle does not interfere with the 3 tree tiltability of the rotor duringturning. Still another object of myinvention resides particular reference to the upper and lower discs having sector-like projections spaced apart and wipingly; adapted toengage the inwardly projecting-stationary contact strips;

rangements.

the handle will connect with and disconnect in the specific construction of the rotor with Serial No. 250,026.

and particularly with referenceto the arena ate projection of these two sector-like portions whereby they may co-operate with.

various combinations of arrangement of the inwardly projecting contact strips to produce a maximum number of lightin ar- Yet another object 0 my lnvention resides in the construction and m ran'gement of-the insulating block within the housing and particularly with reference to the manner in which the stationary contact strip are mounted in notches and with binding posts passing therethrough and through the insulating block whereby securely to hold the stationary contacts in positlon. Yet another object resides in the construction and arrangement of this insulating block and in the arrangement of the upstanding notched flange carrying the Sta-'- tionary contacts and also the fastening means A for .detachably mounting the block in the housing and further, in the constructionthereof with relation to the central countersunk portion'in which the rotor is mounted ,whereby a very flat and compact switch mechanism is provided which also provides the maximum current carrying area of the several contacts and the rotor contacts Still another object of my invention resides in the arrangement of the insulating member carried by the rotor and the manner wherein it makes a loose connection therewith to permit of an easy clutching engagement with the turcations of the handle. Still another object of my invention resides in the provision of a substantially water-tight housing with particular reference to the manner in which the handle is. provided with a water shedding hood located at the opening in the cover through which the handle projects. and other objects of my invention relate to the manner in which my switch provides compactness and strength in construction, ease and assembly in replacement of parts and is particularly adaptable for use as a locomotive headlight switch.

I obtain my objects by the mechanism illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete device; I

"Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 Figure 1;-

' Figure 3 is afront view of the, device with These I the housing 'cover removed for revealing the 4-4 Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the ter-- minal base block;

Figure 6 is a perspectlve view of the operating handle;

Figure 7 is a perspective viw of the main elements of the rotor;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the terminal ba t and associated parts; and

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view of theback side of the base block, showing the terminal bar and associated parts.

7 Like numerals denote like parts through out the several views.

According to the design selected to illustrate the invention, the chief operating parts are located within a housing 10 provided with a cover 12, which may be bolted or otherwise removably secured in place. Fastened within the housing by means of studs 14 or other appropriate means is a base block 16 of insulating material. Between the block and the housing is a plate 18, which is also of insulating material.

The block 16, which is shown in perspective in Figure 5, is here shown to be circular in outline and provided with a number of notches 20 in its front face adjacent to the circumferene At the center it has an aperture 22. The notches 20 form seats for stationary terminals 24 which are provided V co with binding posts 26. These terminals form the stationary contacts and project radially inward towards the axis of the block. In the drawings I have shown three stationary terminals but more than three notches, the idea being to provide for an increasednumber of terminals or a different grouping thereof should occasion require.

One of the important features of the.

notched construction resides in the fact that this peripheral upstanding flange-like portion concentrically surrounds the countersunk portion forming th'e'well and in which the rotor is'mounted.

Another important feature of my invention resides in this upstandin circumferential flange-like portion whic is provided with the notches or cutouts 20 for receiving the inwardly extending contact strips. By

providing these .notches 20 with holes for receiving the contact posts for the strips and by arranging the sides of the notches paralleland radial, I am enabled to seat the strips in the notches so as to snugly fit therein and to anchor them by means of one screw, such as 2.6, in position and this screw in addition to holding the contact strip in position, also constitutes the binding post stationary contact. It will beseen that this upstanding circumferential or peripheral flange in effect forms a centralfcountebsunk is fastened by screws 30 or otherwise to base block 16 in the manner best shown in Figures'2, 3.and 4. This'ba-r is provided with a binding post 32 at one end and with 'an aperture 34 at the other end, as shown'in perspective in Figure 8. It is arranged radially with reference to the base block and seats within achannel 36 formed therein as best shown in Figure 5.

Adjacent to the bar 28 is a leaf spring 38 which is secured at the outer end to the front of the'bar and at the inner end has. an aperture 40. coaxial with the aperture 34 in bar 28. This spring presses forward against one of the plates 50, hereinafter mentioned, and serves the double purpose of carrying current to it from bar' 28 and also of preventing rattling of the parts. In additlon, this contact spring 38 serves to press the rotor outwardly toprovide' a yielding,

wiping contact between the contacts of the rotor and the stationary contacts while at the same time permitting the rotor to tilt laterally or out of its normal plane incase any inwardly projectingstationarycontacts are slightly out of a common p1ane,"all as hereinafter described.

The apertures 34 and 40 are for accommodating a stud 42 which is journale d in bar 28 and has a stop pin-44 for abutting the rear surface of bar28 and thus limiting the distance to which the stud may be forced forward toward the front of the device. The amount of rotation of the stud is limited by a pin 46 f'astenedto bar 28 andprojecting backwards therefrom into the path of pin 44. Thus the stud may be rotated back and forth but cannot revolve more than about 180 degrees, as pin'46 projects in both directions from the stud. Pin 44 also holds the rotor in place when the cover is' removed.

Stud 42 is shouldered and riveted at the forward end in such manner as to firmly hold a disc 48 in the manner best shown in side thereof, are plates 50 having sectors 52 arranged in two pairs and pro ecting a ated. for turning movement with respect to the bearing 34 formed on the inner end of the .bar 28, 1 also provide a construction wherein this rotor may tilt out of its nor mal plane of rotation and with respect to the common plane of the radiallyinwa'rdly extending stationary contacts 24, 25 and 27.

1 III Figure 2. Riveted to this disc, one on each .bearing for it. This hole 34is purposely 1 made of somewhat larger diameter than the diameter of the stud 42 so'that the stud may have a slight amount of lateral play in this bearing. This permits the rotor to tilt slightly out of a plane extending at ri h't angles to its correct axis of'rotation. he sprin 38 is arranged to co-operate'with this tlltab e mounting of the motor in that the spring in addition to carrying the current from the binding post 32 to the rotor, yield- .ably presses against the under-side of the rotor and presses this rotor and stud outwardly so that the pin 44 passing through the opening the end' of the stud, W111 press against the under surface of the bear-Q; lng- 28. Thus this rotor: is yieldably pressed outwardly so that when it is rotated and for instance, whenthe lower sector-shaped contacts 52 of the rotor wipingly engage beneath. the under side of the stationary contact, this wiping' engagement will tend to draw the rotor downwardly against tension of this spring 38 andthusprovide a very firm wiping engagement between the upper 5 and lower contacts of the rotor and the sta I ner, in nowise interferes with the tiltable tionary contacts. In addition, it will be seen that by reason of this construction the. spring, while free to act in the above manmounting of the stud and rotor in its bearing and hence the rotor is free to tiltin the desired direction and with respect to the radially disposed contacts. This tilting construction is very, important because. frequently some off the stationary eentacts' are not exactly in the same horizontal plane and when the contact arms 52 areturned, it is I1ecessary that the rotor be permitted toshift into and out of this horizontal plane not only to make a firm electrical contact with were not tiltably mounted and if one of the both of the contacts of the rotor with which the stationary contact wipes between but also to permit the rotor to turn. If the rotor stationary contacts were ositioned above or below its true theoretica position it might easily prevent the -turning of the rotor. Hence, due to this-tiltable mounting of the rotor, any slight out-of-alignment of these stationary contacts does not interfere withthe freeoperation of the rotor and does not interfere with the correct wipingcontactof the sector-shaped members 52 and the-Sta tionary contacts.

By I reference to drawings and Figures 3 and 7 of the upper and lower discs 50 are arranged So that their side edges provide sector-like openings therebetween, one of which openings issmaller than the other, the smaller the peculiar design and shape of these sectorlike portions of the rotor and particularly with reference to the arran ement of the notches in the insulating bloci in which the various stationary contacts are or may be mounted, I am able to secure ,a 'greatnumber .of various groupings and contacting ar-. rangements of the rotor with respect to these inwardly projecting stationary contacts whereby various combinations for lighting the. rear headlight and front headlight either dim or full or on or off may be availed of.

Projecting forward from the disc 48 and plates 50 are two shouldered pins 54 which serve to hold an insulating block 56 in the manner best shown in Figure 2. The block isheld loosely so that it may shift its posiinaccuracies of manufacture and to facilitate enga ement with the o crating shaft 58. Said shaft is journaled in t e front cover 12 and is bifurcated at its inner end to fit .over block 56. By preference the central slot 60 of the shaft is somewhat wider than block 56 so that the block may. readily enter the slot when the cover is being applied. I

Extending radially from the outer end of the shaft is an operating handle 62 which is. of ample proportions and rugged so that it may withstand a considerable amount of abuse. On the inner side it'has a springpressed ball 64 adapted to travel over a quadrant 66 having notches 68 for yieldingly holding the arm 62 in various posltions.

Heavy lugs 70 are cast integral with the cover 12- at'the ends of the quadrant for limiting the'swing of the operatin handle. These form' positive, rugged stops or limiting the angular movements'of the handle.

In practice, when the base block 16, stamounted within the housing 10, as-illustrated, the operating handle 62 is brought into and out of engagement with the block 56 of the rotor by merely applying the cover 12 to the housing and rotating the arm to such position as to fit over block 56. The slotted shaft 60 may be regarded as a clutch which. is detachable from the rotor by mov ing it away in an axial direction. This forms a practical expedient which simplifies manufacture as well as simplifying the operation.-I By removing the'coverand attached particularly Figure13, it will handle the operating parts of the switch are n be seen that t e sector portions52 of the operate'wvith the insulating member 68 cartionary terminals 24, and the rotor are I ried by the rotor and particularly the manner in which these furcations extend parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor and on opposite sides of such axis and particularly in the manner in which the slot is of slightly reater width than the width of the insulat mg block 56 whereby the freeclutch'ing of the inner portion of the handle to the rotor is effected and whereby this clutching contact occurs on opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the rotor so as not to interfere with the free tilting of the rotor during rotation. This is an important feature of my invention.

Further attention is drawn to the substantially mushroom or hood-shaped construction of the substantially dome-shaped portion of the handle which covers the outer end of the shaft 58 and into which the shaft projects. Thisdome-shaped portion is provided with a transverse bore adapted .to receive a. pin which passes 'through in the bore in the outer end of the shaft whereby rigidly to connect the handle 62 with the outer end ofthe shaft and to hold the handle 62 in assembled position with the cover.

By reference to the hood-shaped construction of this central portion of the handle it will be seen that the lower peripheral edges of this central portion of thehandle overlie the opening or hole in the cover which is in coaxial alignment with the axis of rotation Y of the shaft and it will also be seen that I provide handle 62 as an all metal handle which is rigidly connected to its shaft 58. The foregoing construction is of particular advantage for use as a locomotive headlight switch-adapted to be mounted within the cab of a locomotive. Since it is the practice to clean the cab with a. hose, when the water is sprayed upon the inner portions of the cab this hooded portion of the handle will'deflect the water away from the opening in the cover whereby "to prevent the entrance of the water within the housing. In addition, by providing the handle 62 of rugged, metallic construction it. withstands Y the blows given to it in usage since the 10- comotive engineers frequently turn the switch by striking it with some hard metallic object.

To operate, the handle 62 is rotated in. one direction or the other. When used as a locomotive headlight the contacts 52 of the rotor ,and the terminals '24, 25 and 27 will usually be so arranged that when the handle is in central position as shown in Figure 1 the-contacts 52 will be out of engagement with any of the terminals, and both locomotive headlights will be off. By rotating the handle to the next notch at the right the front headlight will be dim, and by rotat-' ing the handle tothe extreme right the front headli ht will receive full voltage. By rotating 51a handle tothe left of central 1 position the rear headlight will be con-' trolled in the same manner. Thus the switch gives the locomotive engineer full control of both headlights.

It will thus be seen, by reference'to the foregoing that I have provided a very compact switch which is particularly adapted for installation into the cab of a locomotive and for locomotive headlight use. By reason of the upstanding peripheral flange formed with the notches 20 providing a counter-sunk, substantially well-like portion concentrically thcrewithin and within which the rotor is mounted, I am enabled to provide asubstantially shallow assembly wherein the'upper and lower sector .contacts of the rotor can wipingly engage above and below the inwardly pro1ecting stationary contacts while at the same time permitting s'ufliicent clearance to permit the sectors to rotate and tilt and this construction in addition permits the use of a relatively small housing of substantially shallow design and at the same time permits the mounting of the operating handle permaill) nently on the cover and in a. manner so as to permit it to detachably connect with the switch rotor and turn the same while also permittingthe rotor to tilt while turning. In addition, by reason of the construct-ion of the sectors of a substantially exact de-' sign and by reason of the arcuate area of these sectors and their spaced apart arrangement and especially .with respect to the inwardly extending contact strips, I am enabled to obtain the maximum current carrying area while insuring compactness of design. In addition, by reason of the exact arcuate and angular arrangement of these sectors with respect to the circumferentially and concentrically extending flanged portions provided with the notches and in which the stationary contacts may be adjustably arranged, I am enabled to produce the maximum number of lighting arrangements.

It will be understood that my device is not limitedfor use as a locomotive headlight switch. The base block :16, being providedv with a considerable number of notches 20, is of course capable of supporting an equal number of stationary terminals 24'. The consequence is that by altering the number and arrangement of terminals 24 and contacts 52 various arrangements of circuits may be provided for. Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let-' ters Patent is a 1'. A switch having a stationary terminal, a rotary switch blade for engaging and disengaging it, a stud on which said blade is mounted, a supporting element for the stud, a spring pressing against the switch blade in an axial direction for preventing rattling,

a stop on the stud engaging said'supporting clement-for limiting the movement of the stud to'thereby hold the switch-plate in alignment with the stationary terminal, and

means for energizing said spring to thereby energize the switch blade. 2. A switch havlng a stationary terminal,

a rotary switch blade for engaging and dis engaging it, a stud on which said blade is mounted, a supporting element for the stud,

a spring pressing against the switch blade 1n an axial direction for preventmg rattllng,

and a stop pin projecting from the side of gaged by said the stud for servlng the dual purpose of limiting the axial movement of the stud under the pressure of the spring and for limiting the angular movement of the stud.-

3. A switch having stationary terminals adapted 'to be variously grouped, a rotary switch element for engaging said terminals, a base on which the terminals are mounted, a spring pressing against the switclrelement for energizing it and preventing rattling,

:an insulating block for rotating the switch element, a handle fitting over the block for engaging and rotating it, a pin passing radir ally through the stud in both directions, and a stationary stop adapted to be enpin for limiting the rotation of the block to less than 180 degrees to establish the position which the block must occupy to be engaged by the handle, said pin also limiting the distance to which the stud may be moved axially under the force of the spring.

4. In a switch of the class described, the combination of a housing having an open top, a block of insulation therein having stationary contacts and havin a bearing, a

"rotatable switch angularly shlftable with reably connected to the housing to close the top thereof, said cover having an opening in. line with the axis of the rotatable switch, a

'shaft rotatable in said opening in the cover,

said shaft having a boss thereon located beneath the under face of the cover andformed with an enlargement providing two forked portions extending parallel with the axis of the rotatable switch and on each side thereof and adapted detachably to en age the insulation member of the rotata 1e switch to turn the switch when the shaft is rotated, and a switch handle rigidly connected to the 'outer end of the shaft and overlying the 'outer face of the cover.

5. In a switch of the class described, the

combination of a cast iron housing having passing through the openings of said cover and housing whereby to detachably connect the cover to the housing, the upper surface of said cover having means thereon indicating the various positions of the switch, said cover having an opening therein'in axial alignment with the axis of rotation of the switch, an all metal switch handle having a shaft rotatably mounted in said opening in the cover and formed with a bifurcated enlargement disposed beneath the under side of the cover, said furcations detachably engaging the insulation member of the rotary switch on opposite sides of its axis of rotation and whereby to turn the latter, said handle having an arm rigidly connected to the outer end of the shaft and overlying the upper surface of the cover and adapted, when shifted angularly, to co-operate with the indicating meanson the cover to shift the switch to position corresponding to the indicating means on the cover.

'6. In a switch of the class described, the combination of a housing carrying fixed contacts insulated therefrom and from each other, a rotary switch in said'housing and having a relatively thin upstanding projection of insulation which projection passes diametrically across the axis of rotationof the switch, a cover detachably connected to the housing. and provided with an opening in line with the axis of rotation of the switch, a handle permanently mounted on said cover and having a shaft turnably mounted in the opening thereof, the inner end of said shaft being bifurcated and detachably engaging opposite sides of the pro jection of insulation carried by the switch, said engagement occurring on opposite sides of the axis of rotation of said switch.

7. In a switch of the class described, the combination of a housing, a block of insulation within the housing, said block having a peripheral upstanding flange formed with spaced apart notches, said notches extending into a centrally located counter-sunk portion of the block forming a recess in the top thereof, stationary contacts mounted in certain of said notches and extending radially inwardly into said central recess and'in spaced apart relation about the periphery of the block, screws passing through other notches in the periphery of the block, and passing through said block and through the bottom of I the housing to secure the block in position, the upper face of the block also having a channel extending from its central portion to the outer edge of the block and registering with a Ice notch in the outer circumference of the portion projecting above the peripheralwith a. binding post mounted in that notch which registers with the channel and theinner end of said strip providing a bearing, a switch turnably associated with said bearingand comprising spaced apart upper and lower contacts adapted to engage therebetween the stationary contacts upon angular movement of the switch, said upper'portion of the switch lyin substantial] flush with the upper face 0 the not'che peripheral portion of the block, said switch having a notched portion of said block and formed of insulation, a cover detachably mounted on' the housing to close the top thereof and a handle rotatably mounted'on the cover and having a portion detachabl engaging the insulation member of the switch or turning the latter.

8. In aswitch'of the class described, the

combination of a housing, a circular block of insulation material having a circumferential upstanding flange on its upper face, said flange forming an inner counter-sunk portion," and said flange having a plurality of spaced apart notches formed therein,- said notches having parallel side walls and being provided with perforations passing through the block, screws passing through the .per-

-forations in certain of said notches and through perforations in the base of the housing to detachably fasten the block withstrips and into t in the housing, radially extending contacts snugly and detachably seated in certain of the other notches, binding posts passing through said contacts and passing through perforations in said latter notches, a rotary switch mounted in said counter-sunk portion to moye angularly with respect to 'the block, said switch having spaced contacts adapted wipingly to engage the radially disposed contacts mounted in the notches.

9. In a switch of the class described, the

combination of a housing, a circular block ofinsulation therein and having a circumferential upstanding flangeand a central countersunk portion forming a well, said upstanding flange having a plurality of spaced apart notches, means for detachably fastening the block to the base of the' housing, contact strips disposcd'in certain of said notches and having their upper surfaces lying substanthe inwardly extendin g lower sheet metal sector-shaped contacts slightly spaced apart and adapted wipingly to engage'the upper and lower faces of the stationary contacts.

10. In a switch of the class described, the

combination of a housing, a block of insulation mounted in said housing and. having. an upstanding peripheral flange and a concentrically disposed counter-bore within said flange to provide a well, a plurality of contact' strips mounted in notches in the upstanding flange and arranged in spaced apart relation about the eriphery thereof with the inner ends of said strips vextending radially into said well flat rotary switch mounted in the well portion and comprising spaced apart sheet metal discs formed with substantially opposed sector-like projections adapted wipingly to engage the. upper and lower faces of the contact strips when the switch is turned, said switch being tiltably and yieldably mounted above its axis of rotation whereby to permit proper alignment of its sectorlike contacts with respect to the inwardly m) projecting stationary contact strips.-

11. In a switch of the class described, the

combination of a housing, a block of insula tion mounted therein provided with spaced apart contact strips extending inwardly .and as radially about a common central axis, a switch having upper and lower pairs of contact elements slightly spaced apart and adapted wipingly to engage therebetwee-n the different inwardly projecting contact strips hm during turning movement of the switch, means for mounting said swltch for turning movement about the. common 3X18, said means permitting lateral tilting and including a spring to provide for the alignment of the spaced switch contacts with respect to the stationarycontacts, said switch having an insulation member on its upper face, a cover for the switch, said cover having an opening in alignment with the 'axisof rota- U0 tion, of the switch, a handle carried by the cover and having ashaft passing through said opening, said shaft carrying spaced membe'rs'disposed on opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the shaft and adapted i loosely and detachably to engage the insulation member of the switch for turning the latter on movement of the handle.

Y 12. In a switch of the class described, the

combination of a housing, contact strips mounted in spaced apart relation within saidhousing and insulated therefrom, said strips extending radially inwardly about a common axis, 'a rotary switch mountedfor rotation about the common axis of said contact strips, 1 5

said switch including upper and lower contacts outwardly extending'and disposed substantially on' opposite sides of a diametral axis ofsaid switch so as to wipingly engage portion, a relatively an contacts therebetween, the rotatable mounting for said switch being constructed and arranged to- 'permitsaid switch to tilt laterally during 1ts rotation whereby to permit alignment of its upper and lower contacts with respect to the inwardly projecting contact strips, a vcover for said housing having an opening in line with the axis of rotation of the switch, a handle having a shaft turnably mountedin said opening and provided with means insulated from said switch and adapted detachably to engage the latter on opposite sides of the axis of rotation of said switch for turning it when the handle is moved.

13. In a switch of the class described, the combination of a housing, insulating mounting therein carrying a plurality of contacts spaced apart about'a common center and extending radially inwardly toward said cen-'- ter, a switch rotor mounted to turn about said common axis, said switch rotor comprisin upper and lower discs having sector- 'shape projections disposed approximately on opposite sides of the discs, the adjacent edges of said sector-shaped projections on one side being spaced apart approximately ninety degrees, and they other adjacent edges of the sector-shaped projections being spaced apartap roximately 160 degrees, and means for rotating said rotor.

14. In a switch of the class described, the combination. of a: housing, an insulating block thereincarrying-stationary contacts mounted in spaced relation thereon about a common center, a rotor mounted for turncomprising a pair of sheet metal discs having sector-like integral projections extending outwardly approximately, on opposite sides of smid discs and a metal disc between said outer discs, there being fastening means passing through said discs to assemble the -same and to maintain the upper discs slightly spaced apart so as to engage the stationary contacts therebetween non rotationa movement of said rotor.

15. In a switch of the class described, the combination of'a housing, an insulating block therein carrying stationary contacts mount ed in spaced relation thereon about a common center, a rotor mounted for turning about said center as an axis, said rotor com prising a pair of sheet metal discs having sector-like integral projections extending outwardly approximately on opposite sides of said discs and a metal disc between said outer discs, there being fastening means pass- V ing through said discs to assemble the same and to maintain the upper discs slightly spaced apart so as'to engage the stationary contacts therebetween on rotational, .movement'of said rotor, and an insulating member mounted by said fastening meanson the top of one of said upper discs, a cover for said housing, a handle permanently mounted on said cover and having ineans detachably enaging said insulating member of the rotor ortuI'ning said rotor.

16'. In a switch of the class described, the

combination of a housing, stationary contacts mounted in said housing about a common center, a rotor having contacts and turnably mountedabout said common center, a cover ably connecting the rotor to turn the latter,

and a lever-shaped handle havinga mushroom-shaped head provided with a socket fitting over the outer end of saidshaft and fastened thereto, said head portion of the handle substantially overlying the hole in the cover to shed Water for said hole said leverthe underside of the handle, a spring in said recess,iacletent at the mouth of said'recess adapted to be urged outwardly by said;

spring, and an arcuate quadrant on the cover and having notches adapted to frictionally shaped handle having a recess opening on V engage the ball during the movement of the v lever arm to hold the same in turned position.

17. In a switch of the class described, the combination of a housing, a block of insulation within the housinghaving a peripheral up-standing flange formed with spaced apart notches, said notches extending into a centrally located countersunk portion of the block forming a recess in the top thereof, stationary contacts mounted in certain of said notc es and extending'radially inwardly to said'central recess and in spaced apart relation aboutthe periphery of the block the upper face of the block also having a c annel extending from its centralportion to the outer edge of the block and registering with i a notch in the outer circumference of the block, a strip mounted in said channel and lying substantially flushwith the upper face of the channel, said strip having at its inner end means forming a bearing, a switch turn- I ably associated with respect to said bearing and carrying contacts adapted to engage the stationary contacts upon angular movement tral portion of the block, a strip lyin in said channel, a binding post carried by the outer end of said strip and adapted, to be disposed in one of said notches, the inner end of said the inner end of the strip, a rotary switch 1 strip being disposed at the center vof the having a stud lying in the apertures of the block and at the common axis of the contact spring and the strip, said switch having sub and being provided with an opening thereat, stantially oppositely disposed contacts ar- 6 a leaf spring mounted on the outer end of ranged in pairs and adapted wipingly to ensaid strip by means of a binding post, said gage the stationary contacts on the blocks 15 leaf spring having its inner end provided therebetween, and means for turning said with an opening and said inner endv of the switch.

leaf spring being normally sprung away from 1 1 JOHN LOFGREN. 

